GolTV's Fitting Tribute to 11-Year-Old Rhys Jones

If GolTV will ever get an opportunity to broadcast Premier League matches in the future, soccer fans in the United States got a preview of what type of coverage they could expect during Tuesday’s Champions League qualifying round match featuring Liverpool against Toulouse.

From the second the coverage began, GolTV commentators Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson set the mood and eloquently shared with viewers what makes an Anfield European night so special. Hudson talked first hand about his experience playing for Newcastle against Liverpool at St. James’s Park back in the seventies, marking Terry McDermott and remembering the 10,000 Liverpool fans who outsung the Geordies on that night in Newcastle.

That’s what sets GolTV apart from its competitors. Hudson, a former player and manager, is able to speak candidly about the game and impart his wisdom on the audience. Schoen, meanwhile, is one of the most knowledgeable commentators in the United States on the world game. The two of them together fuse a formidable partnership.

After returning from commercial, the duo then paused to let the final sounds of Liverpool’s anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” bathe the audience and paid their respect — along with the players, fans and viewers at home — to 11-year old Everton fan Rhys Jones who was tragically shot dead last week.

The only shame about the opening coverage from GolTV was that they missed the two teams running out to the “Z Cars Theme” that was Jones’s favorite song and traditionally is the song that Everton always runs out to at their Goodison Park ground.

Other than that one oversight, kudos to GolTV for treating viewers to a touching opening for the match which Liverpool convincingly won 4-0 against the French opposition.

About Christopher Harris

Founder and publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris is the managing editor of the site. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who has lived in Florida since 1984, has supported Swansea City since 1979. He's also an expert on soccer in South Florida, and got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.
Harris launched EPL Talk in 2005, which was rebranded as World Soccer Talk in 2013.
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13 Responses to GolTV's Fitting Tribute to 11-Year-Old Rhys Jones

So, which is better to get: GolTV or Setanta? I’m in the U.S. and I love following the BPL, the Championship, the Bundesliga, French Ligue Un, once in a while, the Serie A. Which is better? Also, when the south american league games are played on gol, is the commentary in Spanish? Are the only games commentated in English on GolTV the Bundesliga, Serie A and Premiership games?

Hudson is by far the best and the most entertaining football commentator in the US. I had only heard about his antics from friends before I got Gol TV this season. He is an absolute riot to listen to. In fact, I am planning on watching as many Primera games this season as I can so that I can catch his quotes. “The Crouchozaurus” last night killed me. Beyond the entertainment value, I do believe that he is very knowledgeable when it comes to understanding the intricacies of the game. After listening to the guy for 3 games, I am convinced that Hudson is the best football commentator in this country!

Ray Hudson is basically John Motson on crack who clearly stays up night practicing his quotes in the mirror.I personally cant stand his commentary but i will grant you its unique and energetic. Does he know his stuff? Debatable – some his bias comes flying out and i remember some of his great quotes during the Cope match between Argentina and the US. He at one point said “There’s no greater Argentine fan on the planet than me” – this despite crowing about how well the US were outplaying them for a good 70 minutes. Final score Argentina won 4-1. He is too loud, talks too much and i grant you he has the occasional funny saying but overall give me Martin Tyler, Gary O Neill, John Motson any day…

I’d say GolTV’s coverage is on par with a high school football game on public access. First, they got the time wrong in the guide data and put a crawl on to say it’d be an hour later. The audio levels are awful, you can barely hear the crowd. The banter is forced, and they talk all over each other. I’ll have to admit Ray is growing on me for the comedic value, after preferring Jon Champion, David Pleat, or even Tommy Smyth on ESPN. His rip on Tom Cruise in the stands at the final Real Madrid game last season was classic. It’s worth it if you can get it, assuming the La Liga rights problem is sorted out.